Jeremiah 15:14 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 15:14 mean?

Jeremiah 15:14 says that God will send the people, along with their enemies, into a foreign land as a consequence of His anger, which is compared to a fire that will burn against them. This verse warns that the coming punishment is both certain and severe, driven by God’s intense displeasure.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah. The context is a time of national crisis, as Judah has repeatedly turned away from God. The verse uses strong imagery—being taken to a land they do not know and experiencing God’s anger like a burning fire—to stress how serious the consequences of their actions will be.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 15:14

• The word for "pass" (עָבַר, avar) often means to cross over or be taken away, emphasizing that the people will be forcibly moved from their land, not by choice.
• "Enemies" (אֹיֵב, oyev) highlights that those who will accompany or control them in exile are not friends or allies, but adversaries, making the situation more threatening.
• "Fire" (אֵשׁ, esh) and "kindled" (יָקַד, yaqad) together create a vivid picture of anger that is not just present but actively burning, showing that God’s displeasure is intense and consuming.
• "Anger" (אַף, af) literally means "nose" or "face," but is often used for anger or wrath in Hebrew, suggesting a deeply personal and emotional response from God.

Why Jeremiah 15:14 matters

• This verse clarifies that the coming exile is not just a political event but a direct result of God’s anger at persistent unfaithfulness.
• The language of fire and burning anger helps the reader feel the seriousness of the warning, not just understand it intellectually.
• Jeremiah 15:14 connects to the wider passage by showing that God’s judgments are not random or unfair; they are responses to real choices made by the people.